Kashmiri youth send clear message: 'I am as Indian as you are'

Even as Pakistan-backed terrorists continue to target civilians in J&K, real voices of Naya Kashmir have spoken to Republic - youth from conflict-ridden zones of Valley who brave threats to be Indian soldiers.

After Prime Minister Modi's big move in Kashmir, with Home Minister Amit Shah pushing for abrogation of Article 370 and successfully getting bill passed, historic decision triggered more emotions and reactions than any or event in country in recent past. It also boiled down to this —  integration of hearts and minds of next generation from Valley with Idea of India and being Indian. Close on heels of this historic decision, multiple recruitment drives by Indian Army, Jammu Kashmir police, Territorial Army across Jammu and Kashmir which took place more than 60 days after abrogation of Article 370 generated an overwhelming response. But most overwhelming was larger import of it. 

At a time when international media was busy weaving "Kashmir under lockdown" narrative, thousands of youth from volatile zones and terror bastions were preparing to apply in se drives. More than 4,000 candidates including women candidates lined up in Ramban district for recruitment drive for special police officers which was unprecedented. One of recruits, who was even willing to have her name taken, told Republic that she wanted to break stereo and false perception about women in valley but mits it wasn't “simple”. She quips “It took me years to convince my parents, besides, women in Kashmir need an outlet too. conflict has me us strong.”

SPO Khushboo Jan's cold-blooded murder by terrorists in Shopian in March this year hasn't deterred her resolve .”I am clear, I want to serve as a cop. Death will come when it has to, Wardi mein hi sahi (Even if I die doing my duty towards country)... Fear can't change my mind." Youngsters from most volatile zones face constant threats back home for daring to carry love for India on ir sleeves; an open secret- but t openly spoken or reported about.

'Want desperately get recruited into Forces'

Republic spoke to Fayaz (name changed) who hails from Palhallan in Pattan kwn as stone-pelting den. “ I faced disappointment in all recruitment drives I participated since 2018, in wee hours I would leave my town discreetly, only to return many months later discreetly.  I  kw how desperately I want to get selected.”  

He tells me he has been getting threat calls. One of his friends from Baramullah spotted him outside recruitment drive camp. Fayaz is a product of conflict but very clear what he wants. “re is a threat looming large over those Kashmiris who believe in India”, se are tough times, my friends pelt stones. I want to wear uniform, I will try again for JKP. I do t kw much about Article 370 but I kw one thing, that we remain to be backwards anymore. If only Prime Minister reaches out to us more”

Kashmiri youth determined to fight Pak Army

Republic spoke to many who have been victims of conflict too. Ashish Dogra, one of recruits in Samba Drive hails from Narayanpur vill in Samba, close to IB in Jammu. This is his story. “My vill is few meters away from Ashraf BOP of Pakistan, We live horror of ceasefire violations from Pakistan every day only to strengn my resolve to be part of Indian Army. I lost my cousin in Uri some years ago at LOC. He was a soldier. Post this anuncement by Modi Ji I see more good coming our way”.

Youth rubbish anti-India propaganda

Though many Kashmir observers opine that trust deficit is still on ground which needs to be dressed, however, that's politics of it. re is a lot of optimism in se youngsters from conflict-ridden zones who have rubbished negative propaganda by anti-India lobby. More and more Kashmiris wanting to be part of Indian Army look up to martyrs like Rifleman Aurangzeb from Poonch who was killed by terrorists only to send across a mess that being with India meant death. Mudassir from Shopian has answers for m. He has escaped several attempts to his life. He is a part of JKP and got selected during one such drive years ago. " mindset is changing, even areas like Shopian, kitne Aurengzeb maregein, many more Kashmiris are rey to be soldiers,” he says, ding, "post abrogation of Article 370 intent of Kashmiri youth has drastically increased. Young boys w see a ray of hope, in terms of making something of re future through se recruitment drives”

Arif who hails from Baramullah and travelled a long way to participate in drive, says, “Yes, it is a strong mess to India-haters, we can't live in show of fear always. We have been devoid of jobs, development and education and slowly but grually all this is making sense how we were created by mainstream leers”  Mudassir says that his generation has seen so much of bloodshed and falsehood propagated by pro-Pakistan lobby and Anti-India forces, y won't buy this narrative any more because “Naya Kashmir is here, it is here to stay”.

mess was loud and clear in words of Mudassir as he aptly summed up conversation - “I AM AS INDIAN AS YOU ARE“

(Some names changed to protect identity)